Feeder equalizer and homogenizer

Abstract

An improved feeder for feeding particulate materials to a weld zone wherein the particles of different materials fed are in desired proportions to each other at any cross-section of the outlet device, the feeder converting an intermittent feed to a continuous homogeneous flow and having dispersal apparatus positioned within the feeder so that welding material to be fed to the weld zone must pass through the dispersal apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In combination with a multiple feeder for use in welding comprising a body member, a plurality of hoppers each containing a different particulate weld material, a plurality of feed wheels rotatably mounted to the body member for feeding particualte weld materials to a weld zone, each feed wheel in communication with one of the hoppers for receiving particulate weld material from said one of the hoppers and for expelling the weld material, a discharge nozzle mounted to the body member above the weld zone, the discharge nozzle provided with a generally central passage and a chamber about the passage, electrode feeding means mounted to the body member for directing an electrode to the weld zone, electrode drive means for moving the electrode to the weld zone; a plurality of wheel transmitting tubes disposed between the feed wheels and a common transmitting tube, a wheel transmitting tube in communication with and disposed between each of the feed wheels and the common transmitting tube for transmitting into the common transmitting tube substantially all of the weld material flowing from the feed wheels, each feed wheel introducing its material into its respective wheel transmitting tube, each of the feed wheels having connected thereto its own drive motor independent of each other wheel's drive motor and independent of the electrode drive means, and each feed wheel having its own independent control means connected thereto so that the proportions of the materials fed can be independently, continuously, and accurately controlled and set as desired, the common transmitting tube connected to and in communication with the discharge nozzle for flowing the weld material into the discharge nozzle, and additional mixing means comprising: one or more mesh screens for homogeneously mixing substantially all of the different particulate weld materials flowing through the transmitting tubes, the one or more screens disposed within the common transmitting tube for providing a continous uniform homogeneous flow of particulate weld material to the discharge nozzle for deposition onto the area of the weld zone.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of screens and the screens are of different mesh spacing. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of screens and the screens are of similar mesh spacing. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one or more mesh screens is disposed in each of the wheel transmitting tubes. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each feed wheel is able to periodically dump a charge of weld material into its corresponding wheel transmitting tube and the mesh size of the one or more screens is such that the time required for the charge of material to flow to the weld zone is longer than the time between feed wheel dumps.